McCann (knee) is expected to start Saturday when he is activated from the disabled list, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros will also purchase the contract of starting pitcher Josh James from Triple-A Fresno, and he will make his big-league debut Saturday as a fill-in for the injured Charlie Morton (shoulder). The Astros wisely paired James with McCann during the catcher's rehab assignment at Fresno in preparation for the battery mates' reunion Saturday.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that McCann (knee) will handle the catching duties for Sunday's game against the Angels, implying that he will be taken off the DL at some point this weekend, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

It seems likely that the club will just reinstated McCann on Sunday, but don't be surprised if the Astros wind up bringing him back on the active roster earlier this weekend. He's played in seven games with Triple-A Fresno over the past two weeks, and hasn't experienced any sort of pain or discomfort in the right knee after undergoing surgery on it in early July.

McCann (knee) will play another minor-league rehab game with Double-A Corpus Christi on Monday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCann has already appeared in six minor-league rehab games with the Hooks and Triple-A Fresno, going a combined 4-for-22 with a homer and three RBI. He's expected to catch seven to nine innings for the Hooks on Monday before rejoining the Astros on Tuesday, though it's not yet clear if the team intends to activate him before rosters expand Saturday.

McCann (knee) will continue his rehab with Double-A Corpus Christi on Wednesday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

He played two games with Triple-A Fresno this past weekend in Tacoma, and joined the Astros on Monday to work out at Safeco Field before joining the Hooks. McCann told Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle that this is the best his knee has felt in years. He could be activated from the disabled list as early as this weekend, or perhaps the Astros will wait until rosters expand to add him Sept. 1.

McCann (knee) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Fresno on Thursday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCann will join the Grizzlies on Thursday when the Astros head to Oakland to begin a nine-game road trip. He's been sidelined since the beginning of July after undergoing knee surgery, so the backstop will likely need to make multiple rehab appearances before the Astros consider activating him. That said, he could be back with the big club before the end of August if all goes well.

McCann (knee) may head out on a rehab assignment when the Astros leave for their road trip in the middle of the coming week, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

This comes as a bit of a surprise, as it wasn't very long ago when the Astros' brass suggested he wouldn't get into game action for another week or two. McCann seems to be progressing well in his recovery from knee surgery, and if he can get through a rehab assignment without issue, he could be back with the Astros before the end of August.

General manager Jeff Luhnow said McCann (knee) is 1-to-2 weeks away from returning to game action, Christian Boutwell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Luhnow wasn't sure if that would be with the Astros or on a minor-league rehab assignment. Either way, it sounds like the backstop is making solid progress and could possibly return before September. He underwent knee surgery near the beginning of July.

McCann caught a bullpen session for Justin Verlander on Monday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCann had surgery on his right knee in July, but he's been making good progress during rehab, and he stated that he's "ahead of schedule." If the 34-year-old backstop continues to progress without any setbacks, he'll likely return to action by the beginning of September.

McCann (knee) bent into a catcher's squat Friday for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic surgery in July, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager A.J. Hinch said McCann has "picked up the pace" of his baseball activities, adding that the 34-year-old catcher took batting practice on the field prior to Friday's game against the Dodgers. "He's past his issues and he needs to just now build his strength back up to where he can do more things than just squat and batting practice," said Hinch. McCann stressed he would definitely return to action by September.

McCann (knee) managed to take some swings off a tee Saturday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

After undergoing surgery on his right knee, McCann is beginning to participate in baseball activities once again. A clear timeline for his return hasn't been given yet, but more updates on his status should emerge as he progresses through rehab.